Mercy-USA for Aid and Development M&E Specialist Job in Kenya

This position will work as part of the Mercy USA’s strategy to support a culture and practice of reliable planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (PMER) in Kenya and Somalia. This includes developing and coordinating monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and events within Mercy USA (M-USA) and among its partners, building the capacity of program staff and MoH/MoPHS, and promoting PMER knowledge transfer internally and externally to M-USA. The position should ensure that PMER systems and capacity building effectively serve Mercy USA’s objective, and adhere to Mercy USA’s guidelines and policies.

Background 

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development is an international non profit making organisation that is dedicated to alleviating human suffering and supporting individuals and their communities in their efforts to become more self-sufficient. Incorporated in the State of Michigan in 1988, Mercy-USA's projects focus on improving health, nutrition and access to safe water, as well as promoting economic and educational growth around the world.

Key working relationships Reports to: Director of Programs

Internal: PMER team members, programme officers, programme area technical leads, Regional leadership and M&E counterparts,

External: UNICEF, MoH/MoPHS, OFDA/USAID and other Partners

Primary responsibilities

Responsibilities for this position include:

Serve as the Mercy USA’s focal point for M&E, coordinating M&E implementation, capacity building, sharing and learning.Coordination within Mercy USA to ensure accurate, thorough and useful monitoring and reporting of project activities and impacts, both internally and externally. This includes particularly close collaboration with the County level programme managers, and the Regional PMER focal person to ensure that the monitoring data is collected and included in the reports for the program’s operation.Spearhead the development of M&E systems with standard procedures and processes to ensure credible, reliable, timely and cost-effective monitoring data to facilitate informed ongoing management decisions, strategic planning and uphold accountability.Coordination and oversight of Mercy USA program evaluations, ensuring that they are timely, useful and ethical, upholding the criteria and standards as defined in the Mercy USA’s Framework for Evaluation. This includes ToR preparation for, and the management of, programme surveys (e.g. baselines), real-time evaluations (RTEs), midterm and end-of-project evaluations, special studies, and other components of the M&E system as technical assistance needs arise; using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods and various participatory methodologies to monitor performance.Lead the adaption or development of specific planning, assessment, monitoring and evaluation and reporting tools for consistent and quality data collection, coherent with and reinforcing Mercy USA’s guidelines for M&E and reporting.Assist Mercy USA in the identification of potential implementation problems and bottlenecks, articulate these and ensure institutional knowledge continues to be strengthened.Provide technical guidance to programme staff in incorporating appropriate M&E systems into projects/programmes based on needs, Mercy USA and donor requirements, resources and capacities. This includes: Adequate needs assessment for informed program management decisions, the use of project and programme log frames according to the Mercy USA guidelines.Prepare and train staff, primary stakeholders and implementing partners, as necessary, on project/programme design, monitoring and evaluation concepts, skills and tools.Establish an inventory of reliable, secondary data sources of key statistics to contribute to M&E, and to reduce the use of time and resources in primary data collection, as well as the negative impact (assessment fatigue) among the target populationsRoutinely perform quality control checks of M&E work, overseeing the recording and reporting of progress and performance of the operation compared to targets.Provide technical M & E support to regional management team and feed into regional quarterly review meetings.Support capacity building of Mercy USA and other partners for data analysis and utilization at district levelNetwork and coordinate with MoMS/MoPHS, the UNICEF and other international organizations to: maximize the coordination and collaboration of data collection and efficient use of time and resources, and to reduce data collection duplication and the negative impact (assessment fatigue) among the target populations, ensure that Mercy USA is kept up to date with contemporary issues and best practices-related relief and recovery M&E, quality and accountability.Introduce and/or maintain M&E forums among Mercy USA and its stakeholders, both partners and beneficiaries, to discuss and support quality programming and accountability standards.Ensure that lessons learned from programme M&E to improve future programme selection, design and implementation. This includes liaison with external organizations to identify and distribute good M&E practices in M&E and contribute to knowledge sharing.Duties applicable to all staff 1. Actively work towards the achievement of the organisation’s goals.2. Abide by and work in accordance with Mercy USA principles. 3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Qualifications and Skills 

Bachelors degree or higher in social sciences, development economics or a related area (Master’s degree preferred) Minimum of three years’ relevant experience working in the field of emergency health and nutrition intervention monitoring and research.Experience conducting M&E in humanitarian relief and development sectors, preferably with experience in emergency nutrition monitoring systems. Experience working in Somalia, and remote areas of Kenya( preferable) Experience working on USAID/ UNICEF funded or international development project is desirable; Demonstrated technical capacity to provide support and guidance to project staff on design, monitoring and evaluation; Experience in designing M&E organization-wide systems; Experience in designing M&E methodologies and tools and the ability to coach and train others in their use; Demonstrated capacity to coordinate evaluations, including experience developing evaluation terms of reference and recruiting and managing consultants; and Extensive knowledge of logical framework and results framework planning and evaluation methodologies and the ability to coach and train others in their use;Detailed knowledge of log frame and results framework project design, planning, monitoring and evaluation methodologies and the ability to coach and train others in their use; Experience supervising needs assessments and surveys, and quantitative data analysis. Experience in social research methodologies, including highly-developed analytical and communication skills and the ability to assimilate and process information for wide-ranging audiences.Ability to train project/programme staff on various M&E aspects.Strong commitment to Mercy USA Fundamental Principles and Code of Conduct, and the ability to uphold them at all times with all stakeholders (beneficiaries, volunteers, colleagues and partners). Basic understanding of legal framework of humanitarian operations, as well as gender, child protection, social or human vulnerability issues. Excellent data management, communication, and organization skills are essential. Knowledge of data analysis software (e.g. SAS, SPSS Epi Info, ENA for SMART) and basic computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) is required; High standards of integrity, professionalism, and impartiality; Knowledge of media and/or social change M&E Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a proactive approach Professional fluency in English and competency in report writing. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with and motivate colleagues to achieve shared goals.Strong capacity to handle complex tasks independently, multi task and prioritize, and meet multiple deadlines on time. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.Extremely strong time management and organizational skills with very close attention to detail. Able to work in a stressful environment and remote areas with limited access to basic facilities. Willingness to travel within Kenya and SomaliaHow to apply:

Application procedures 

Interested candidates should submit their application material to Mercy USA Human Resource Department: wnjiru@mercyusa.org. by close of business Friday , May 30th 2012 This should include: Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this job , current and expected salary who we may contact and Curriculum Vitae with three professional references (as one document)